Dive Coaster
| Dive Coaster | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Status | In production |
| First manufactured | 1998 |
| No. of installations | 7 |
| Manufacturer | Bolliger & Mabillard |
| Vehicle type | Floorless or normal seats located above the track |
| Riders per row | 6 - 10 |
| Restraint Style | Over-the-shoulder |
| Dive Coaster at RCDB | |
A Dive Coaster (previously known as Diving Machine) is a type of steel roller coaster manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard where riders experience a moment a free-falling with at least one 90-degree drop. Unlike other roller coasters, after the train reaches the top of the chain lift and makes its way to the first drop, a second chain moves the train just into the first drop but not completely before letting the train go about 3 to 5 seconds later. Development of the Dive Coaster began between 1994 and 1995 with Oblivion at Alton Towers opening on March 14, 1998, making it the world's first Dive Coaster. Recently, B&M has begun to use floorless trains on this model to enhance the experience. Also, the trains for this type of coaster are relatively short. As of 2012, 7 Dive Coasters have been built.
History
According to Walter Bolliger, development of the Dive Coaster began between 1994 and 1995.[1] On March 14, 1998, the world's first Dive Coaster, Oblivion, opened at Alton Towers. Though Oblivion is classified as a Dive Coaster, it does not not have a true vertical drop as the drop angle in 87-degrees.[2] Two years later, the second Dive Coaster built, Diving Machine G5, opened at Janfusun Fancyworld and also does not have a vertical drop, but is 0.5-degrees steeper then Oblivion at 87.5-degrees.[3] In 2005, SheiKra opened at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and was the first Dive Coaster to feature a 90-degree drop and a splashdown element.[4][5] In 2007, Sea World announced that Griffon would be the first ever Dive Coaster to feature floorless trains[6] and SheiKra would have its trains replaced with floorless ones.[7] Since SheiKra and Griffon, all Dive Coasters manufactured after them have a 90-degree vertical drop, a splashdown element, and floorless trains.[8]
Design
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The design of a Dive Coaster can vary sightly from one to another. Depending on the amusement park's request, one row on the train can seat anywhere from 6 to 10 riders. stadium seating is also used to give every rider a clear view. Next, compared to standard Bolliger and Mabillard 4 abreast cars, because of the extra weight of each car on a Dive Coaster, the size of the track must be larger than other B&M models (such as the Hyper Coaster) to support the weight.[9] At the top of the primary vertical drop, a braking system holds the train for 3 to 5 seconds, giving riders a view of the drop ahead before being released into the drop.[10][11]
In the station, Dive Coasters that use non-floorless trains simply use a standard station. With Dive Coasters that use floorless trains, in order to allow riders to load and unload the train, a movable floor is necessary. Because the front row has nothing is front of it to stop riders from walking over the edge of the station, a gate is placed in front of the train to prevent this from happening. Once all the over-the-shoulder restraints are locked, the gate opens and the floor separates into several pieces and moves underneath the station.[10] When the next train enters the station, the gate is closed and the floors are brought back up where the next riders board.[10]
Installations
Bolliger & Mabillard has built 7 Dive Coasters as of 2012. The roller coasters are listed in order of opening dates.
| Name | Park | Country | Opened | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oblivion | Alton Towers |  United Kingdom |
March 14, 1998 | Operating | [2] |
| Diving Machine G5 | Janfusun Fancyworld |  Taiwan |
March 29, 2000 | Operating | [3] |
| SheiKra | Busch Gardens Tampa Bay |  United States |
May 21, 2005 | Operating | [4] |
| Griffon | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | United States |
May 18, 2007 | Operating | [12] |
| Dive Coaster | Chimelong Paradise |  China |
January 21, 2008 | Operating | [13] |
| Diving Coaster | Happy Valley Shanghai | China |
August 16, 2009 | Operating | [14] |
| Krake | Heide Park Resort |  Germany |
April 16, 2011 | Operating | [15] |
See also
- Floorless Coaster, a type of roller coaster also designed by Bolliger & Mabillard, that features floorless trains.
References
- ^ "IAAPA 2011 Trade Show Part 4 Theme Park Review Fishpipe Water Ride B&M Zamperla". Theme Park Review / YouTube. November 16, 2012. Retrieved October 8, 2012.
- ^ a b Marden, Duane. "Oblivion (Alton Towers)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 21, 2012.
- ^ a b Marden, Duane. "Diving Machine G5 (Janfusun Fancyworld)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 21, 2012.
- ^ a b Marden, Duane. "SheiKra (Busch Gardens Tampa Bay)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 21, 2012.
- ^ "Splashdown Bolliger & Mabillard". Retrieved October 8, 2012.
- ^ "Griffon at Busch Gardens Williamsburg Roller Coaster Review". About.com. Retrieved October 18, 2012.
- ^ "SheiKra to have new floorless trains installed". Coaster-net. February 2, 2007. Retrieved October 18, 2012.
- ^ "Bolliger & Mabillard Dive Machine". Roller Coaster Database. Retrieved July 23, 2012.
- ^ "Scott & Carol Present: Getting On Track With B&M". NewsPlusNotes. December 11, 2008. Retrieved October 8, 2012.
- ^ a b c "Griffon (HD)". SeanFlaharty. August 16, 2009. Retrieved October 8, 2012.
- ^ "Coaster opens May 25". Daily Press. March 21, 2007. Retrieved October 17, 2012.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Griffon (Busch Gardens Williamsburg)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 21, 2012.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Dive Coaster (Chimelong Paradise)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 21, 2012.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Diving Coaster (Happy Valley Shanghai)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 21, 2012.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Krake (Heide Park Resort)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 21, 2012.
External links
